Job Description

Since 1910, Mount Royal University has built a reputation on a strong, liberal education foundation with an undergraduate focus and more than a century later, the University remains responsive to the needs of the community through an enduring commitment to this legacy. Today, Mount Royal’s 12 baccalaureate degrees and 32 majors as well as certificate and diploma programs in five different academic faculties offer the institution’s more than 13,000 students an “exceptional undergraduate experience.” With a strong focus on small class sizes, personalized learning and a faculty dedicated to teaching excellence and student success, Mount Royal has built a reputation as an institution that prepares students for a lifetime of opportunities, workplace careers, graduate and professional schools, life-long learning and adapting to the changing demands of society.

Opened on September 7, 2017, the transformational new Riddell Library and Learning Centre builds on the Library’s strengths and enduring values while articulating a new vision for exceptional undergraduate teaching, learning and research experience for Mount Royal students, faculty and staff. This integrated facility, funded through a $88.4 million capital investment from the Government of Alberta (spread over three years) and with a generous donation from the Riddell Family Charitable Foundation, brings together several building partners from core student learning and faculty teaching support areas. These innovative areas include Student Learning Services, the Academic Development Centre, including START, the Institute for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, and includes purpose-built classrooms and offices for the Department of Education.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, the University Librarian is equivalent to a Dean and will oversee an accomplished Library complement and the implementation of the Library’s new strategic plan. Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, the University Librarian will facilitate new opportunities for partnership and innovation at the new Riddell Library and Learning Centre. As part of Mount Royal’s Deans’ Council, the University Librarian will actively participate in Mount Royal’s strategic leadership while ensuring alignment between the Library’s resources, programs and plans with those of the University and the emerging practices of library services. Fostering a consultative and team oriented environment, The University Librarian will lead, mentor and coach staff through change initiatives to build on the Library’s service model through ongoing development of the team and an eye to operational efficiency.

As the ideal candidate, your record of excellence in library administration is paired with undergraduate teaching experience and a thorough understanding of the emerging trends in library services and technologies and undergraduate education generally. Your MLIS degree, teaching, research and scholarly experience and ability to adapt to and embrace change provide you with a foundation to lead this innovative new library facility and accomplished team of librarians and staff. Your drive and creativity will support a culture of collaboration and engagement and ensure that the Library is aligned with the University’s ambitions to deliver an exceptional undergraduate experience. Your strong communication and relationship building skills, genuine passion for undergraduate education and research and service orientation will prepare you to work closely with and support the continuined success of students, faculty, researchers and library partners. Experience working and mananging within a unionized environment would be considered an asset.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Mount Royal University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to fostering diversity as a source of excellence, intellectual and cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, faculty and their scholarship, including but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual or gender identity, ethnic, national or socio-economic background, religion or age.

This position is for a 5-year renewable term and the appointment will be accompanied by an appropriate academic appointment.